One of the century’s best comedies is among the movies on TV tonight

Patrick McCarry

“Why can’t you be happy for me, and then go home and talk about me behind my back like a normal person?”

There is a bevvy of great movies on TV this evening, with our top pick a comedy from 2011 that ranks up there as one of the best this century.

Before we get to our best selections from this evening’s fare, we must mention that Netflix has some great movies leaving the streamer before the end of this month, and Disney+ is ditching these 50 shows and movies on Friday, May 26.

Now, let’s get to it and get straight to our top pick:

Bridesmaids – RTÉ 2 – 9:30pm

An absolute classic, with the drifting and disorganised Annie (Kristen Wiig) asked to be maid-of-honour for his oldest friend [Maya Rudolph] Lillian’s wedding. The movie that showed Rose Byrne could definitely do comedy and that properly launched Melissa McCarthy, as well as being a big break for Chris O’Dowd, it is Wiig that still steals the show.

Two of the funniest scenes must be the duelling speeches by Wiig and Byrne and the sheer bedlam on the plan ride to Las Vegas. We also have a bride-to-be taking a fierce call of nature in an unpaid for wedding dress, in the middle of a busy street. All of that and we haven’t mentioned the brilliant Jon Hamm cameo yet.

If you have not seen Bridesmaids yet, get on it.

Co-producer/writer/actress Kristen Wiig and actress Maya Rudolph arrive at the 2011 premiere of “Bridesmaids”. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

The Color Purple – BBC 4 – 9:30pm

Steven Spielberg’s 1985 drama, based on Alice Walker’s novel, is currently getting remade but do yourself a favour [if Bridesmaids is not your bag, or if you have seen it before] and give this a watch.

Telling the story of two devoted sisters broken apart at a young age, Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover are brilliant but keep an eye out for Oprah Winfrey as Sofia. The former talk show host is so good in the role that she easily could have made a career for herself on the silver screen. Nominated for 11 Oscars, The Color Purple ended up with zero. In retrospect, it was harshly dealt with as it is compelling.

Robin Hood – ITV 4 – 10:05pm

Less compelling, and with not enough [or not at all, sadly] Kevin Costner, it is Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood.

Made in 2010, the movie had Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Oscar Isaac, Mark Addy, Mark Strong and William Hurt yet lacked the fun of Costner’s ‘Prince of Thieves’ or wit of Errol Flynn’s many Robin Hood outings. Best performance in the movie is Matthew McFadyen [of Succession fame] who plays the conniving Sheriff of Nottingham.

This movie ended with a tee-up for a sequel, which never happened. Tells you a lot, that.

Men In Black II – Film Four – 9pm

Here is a sequel that did happen, and we are thankful it did.

We won’t get too deep on the MIBs, suffice to say Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back to save the world from unctuous aliens, even if it takes some convincing for Agent K to help his old partner ‘J’ out.

Magnum Force – TCM – 11:25pm

Lethal Weapon III is on the same channel, earlier in the night, but we are going for this Dirty Harry sequel. Clint Eastwood is perfect in the hard-bitten role of San Francisco cop, Harry Callaghan, who skirts rules and bends laws to deliver justice to any “punks” he feels are asking for it.

Terminal Velocity – Great! Movies – 9pm

If you just want a ridiculous popcorn flick for your Thursday night, strap in and get a load of Terminal Velocity.

A silly, watchable action flick starring Charlie Sheen as a skydiving instructor that gets embroiled in a Russian spy scheme. Also stars Nastassja Kinski and the late James Gandolfini.

So, our Top 3 for you all would be – Bridesmaids, The Color Purple and Magnum Force. But, it’s up to you…

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